World Series Game 1: Tribe’s Pitching Dominates Cubs In 6-0 Win

CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 25: Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians have combined for over a 150 year wait to win the World Series. On Tuesday night, the got one step closer to winning that long-awaited coveted trophy with a win in Game 1.

The Indians were able to get to Cubs’ starter Jon Lester early in the first inning. Francisco Lindor was able to squeeze a two out single and was able to steal second. Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana then both walked to load the bases. Jose Ramirez then notched a RBI single to score Lindor to give the Tribe the 1-0 lead and load the bases once again. Lester than hit Brandon Guyer with a pitch to walk a run in and give Cleveland the two run advantage.

Cleveland’s Corey Kluber was dominant from the beginning and even broke a Major League World Series Record by striking out eight batters in the first three innings.

The Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber clipped his first hit of the season in his second at-bat of the game with a double off of Kluber in the top of the fourth. Schwarber worked his way back from an ACL tear that he suffered on April 7 after an outifeld collision. Th Cubs named Schwarber the DH for the games that will be played at the American League Progressive Field.

The indians extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth with a solo homerun by Roberto Perez, his first of the night, for a 3-0 lead.

Lester was removed from Game 1 after 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on six hits; striking out seven batters. RHP Pedro Stropthen relieved Lester, stranding a runner on second to end the inning.

After a leadoff single by Ben Zobrist in the top of the seventh, the Indians replaced Kluber with All-Star and ALCS MVP Winner Andrew Miller. The left-hander then walked Kyle Schwarber and allowed a single to Javier Baez to load the bases with one out. He then got pinch-hitter Willson Contreras to fly out and Addison Russell to strikeout with veteran David Ross up who would also strikeout to strand the bases loaded.

In the bottom of the 8th, the Indians cushioned their lead with a homer by Perez yet again, this time a three-run blast off of Chicago’s RHP Hector Rondon who relieved Justin Grimm. Those three runs were the most runs scored by the Indians after the sixth inning this entire post-season.

This was the first multi-homer game of Perez’s professional baseball career.

Willson Contreras did get a one out double in the bottom of the 9th for the Cubs but, to no avail as Indians’ reliever Cody Allen struck out the side to secure the 6-0 win and give the Cleveland Indians the 1-0 series lead.

Something to note: The World SeriesGame 1 Winner has won 12 out of the last 13 World Series Championships.

Up Next:

The Cleveland Indians will host the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 on Wednesday night with the start time now moved up to 7:00pm due to possible rain.

Bethany is a Graduate of the University of South Florida and currently resides in Tampa. She is a die-hard Yankees' fan and has been a freelance writer for six years. She has covered the Yankees' Minor League System since 2010 and also does freelance work for Examiner.com and CBS Local Tampa Bay. Follow her on Twitter @TampaBethany